Find Waldo in Downtown Asheville!

Where's Waldo? In Downtown Asheville of course. The
famous children's book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is
visiting twenty-five different local businesses throughout our community this
July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, book coupons and
more. From The Chocolate Fetish at 36 Haywood St. to Battery Park Book Exchange
at 1 Page Avenue, from Downtown Books and News at 67 N. Lexington Ave. to
Papoose Children's Clothing at 21 Battery Park Ave., Waldo and newly added for
2014, faithful dog Woof, figures will be well hidden in local business
establishments. Find Waldo is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful
way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a "Find
Waldo Local in Downtown Asheville!" passport with the names of all the
participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo
they spot. The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed
at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to Malaprop's
Bookstore/Cafe to collect prizes. Collecting store stamps or signatures at
twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers to enter in a grand
prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a 6-volume deluxe set of
Waldo books.

Where's Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose
entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in the late eighties.
Since then, the Where's Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore
shelves the world over. There are now over 61 million Waldo books in print
worldwide and they've been translated into over 30 languages. An entire
generation has grown up searching for Waldo and his cast of wandering
companions.

In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his
American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the
American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores all across the
country, including Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe here in Downtown Asheville, for
some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their
local businesses.There is no charge to
participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July. For more
information about hunting for Waldo and Woof in Downtown Asheville, call
Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe at 828-254-6734.